What music do you listen to when you study? Most people would say one of two things. “The music I normally listen to” and “Classical music,” which makes sense. Classical Music, being good for studying and babies is the biggest cliche ever, it’s the go to music for all the moms that want a smart baby. Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Wagner, etc. We’ve all heard the all-time favorite sounds and tones. Now let’s be clear, there’s nothing wrong with listening to Classical music when you study, but there are other alternatives that are just as good but sound more refreshing to most people, because we aren’t familiar to them. Like Bossa Nova.
First of all, Bossa Nova is not a guy. It’s a relaxed style of Samba similar to Jazz that started in Brazil during the late 50’s, and it’s associated with movements of social protest in the region. It has a very distinctive rhythm, it’s full of energy and is repetitive in a way that makes it calming. And although energetic, it’s actually quite relaxing and very comforting.
Bossa Nova is the word given to this style of music, which means “New Trend” in English. It’s widely known as the “elevator music” thanks to the song “Girl From Ipanema” by Astrud Gilberto. “Tall and tan and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking,” yes, that song. But there’s so much more to the genre, from the gentle sound of the guitar, to the violins and trumpets, the Portuguese language with that Brazilian accent that sounds so soft yet so powerful, Bossa Nova is full of life.
Now, why should you listen to Bossa Nova and use it as “study music?” Well, Bossa `1 Nova is one of the most relaxing music you’ll ever hear. It’s very soft and the music blends into your thoughts as background music, it’s so easy to listen to. And being honest, you don’t even need to know how to speak Portuguese. I don’t speak Portuguese and I listen to it all the time, it’s all about the melody and beautiful instruments, the voice is just an extra.
“Okay Diego, I’m convinced. But… How do I start listening to Bossa Nova?” Well, here’s what I did. I had heard about it at some point in my life, and I thought I should give it a try. So, I opened Apple Music and searched for “Bossa Nova” and played the first playlist I found. Then, I made my own playlist with the songs I had liked from that playlist. But if that seems like too much work for you, which is fair, these are some classic songs I love: “Samba de Verao”, “Agua de beber”, “O Barquinho”, “Wave”, and “Meditation.” And here are some great albums: “Getz/Gilberto” by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, “The Composer of Desafinado, Plays” by Antonio Carlos Jobim, and “Sinatra/Jobim: The complete Reprise Recordings” by Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim. I know some names and words are hard to spell, but all you have to remember is that any song will sound good if you search for “Bossa Nova.”
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